Posts Tagged ‘Q&A’
Mattel Q&A – Giant Infinite Heroes, Missing Titans, Metamorpho-no,
And catching up with Mattel Q&A’s… wait… IF the Infinite Heroes line continues? On with the Questions!
1) At Toy Fair we saw that Ravager (and unless we’re mistaken, Wonder Woman from the Starro pack) has the new articulation. Are there any plans to give any other female characters in the DC Infinite Heroes line the new articulation?
As we get to new figures in this scale we will incorporate all levels of current articulation and continue to always improve!
2) With the IH numbering discontinued for the 75th Anniversary packaging, will we ever find out who Figure 41, Figure 44, Figure 50, Figure 55, and Figure 57 were?
We’ll try to publish a full list of released figures in the near future.
3) Since we know that a 12″ Tytus and the C&C DCUC figures are possible, will we ever see a larger scale IH figure? More specifically, will we ever see a larger scale humanoid IH figure? Since we know (and are psyched about!) Starro will be offered at SDCC this year.
If the Infinite Heroes line continues then this would be a great way to get out some new news for the line!
4) The Action League Metamorpho is packaged as the Element Man. Is that a result of the name being trademarked, and if so, have you considered an approach like Marvel’s (i.e. calling the figure “DC’s Metamorpho”)?
The name “Element Man” was the name DC provided for this figure in package.
6) So far we know that a couple different teams are only missing a member or two, like Beast Boy/Changeling for the New Teen Titans, Kid Flash for the Flash family, Alan Scott for the JSA, Captain Cold for the Rogues, and Superboy (although he might be unavailable due to legal issues?) for the even newer Teen Titans/Young Justice. Have these absences been intentionally planned out or have they just sort of been victims of happenstance where no “right time” arose for these characters to be released?
All of these are just happenstance. No one has been initially left off the table and we do have plans to finish off these teams as soon as we can. Definitely don’t read into anything!
Now off to the message board to discuss!
Hasbro Q&A
This is actually a slightly older Q&A, but it got caught in a bit of a shuffle, but better late than never. And, it’s nice to have an official answer from Hasbro about what happened to the Secret Invasion, Secret Wars, City in Crisis and Winter Soldier Super Hero Squad sets:
1) At this past Toy Fair show, we saw what looked like a MU Dark Avenger (Karla Soffen) Ms. Marvel variant on display, but she wasn’t mentioned in the presentation. Can you give us more info on this figure? Is she a running change/variant we can look forward to, is she a head-swapped Classic Ms. Marvel (what most collectors have done to add her to their collection), or will we see her released in an upcoming wave?
The Marvel Universe Dark Avenger Ms. Marvel shown at Toy Fair was planned as a variant. Unfortunately, plans changed; but she is being reviewed for future releases!
2) This year in MU we’ve been getting one female figure per wave, is this trend going to continue?
There are a lot of cool female characters in Marvel Universe. We want to add as many as we can. However, since this is a brand driven by boys we tend to have less female figures. But keep your eyes peeled, you just never know who might appear this fall!
3) What went into the decision to release the SHS 4-packs like “City in Crisis” and “Secret Invasion” in international markets (Philippines, Taiwan, United Kingdom) but not in the US?
These items were also offered in the USA. Unfortunately, local retailers chose not to list them.
Now head over to the message board to submit more questions!
Ask Matty 4/15/10
We just got a new round of answers back from Mattel and here they are!
1) Any chance we could see some more obscure villains in the various DC lines? For instance, a Catman would be great!
Catman would be great, but we can’t comment on unannounced figures. We do have plans for a lot more villains in the line.
2) Even though Music Meister only showed up in the Brave & the Bold TV show, would it be possible to see him in DCIH?
Sure, but not likely in the near future.
3) Is the current similar style of the Toy Story Buddies and Action League Minis a style that is being planned to carry over into other products as a sort of in-house “Mattel Mini” style? Will we see it again?
Yes, this is a “form factor” we are interested in exploring.
4) Have you considered re-releasing repaints of complete C&C figures on Mattycollector or shop.mattel.com so that collectors of different scales (ok, just IH) can get bigger characters without having to pick up other figures?
This all depends on how the DCUC Wave 5 re-release goes. It is our big test to see how re-releases do.
5) Several Brave and the Bold figures such as Solomon Grundy (“Zombie Hitman”), and the individual Metal Men have been given name changes. Can you give us some insight into why some figures get name changed?
There are several reasons for this including, comments from our licensor partners, kid testing, and trademark issues for using a name on a toy.
Well, there you have it! Now, if you want to discuss these answers, or post some questions of your own that you want us to Ask Matty, then head on over to the board!
Marvel Q&A 3/30/10
We just got back our first round of answers in the Marvel Q&A! Here they are:
1) Are there any plans for offering Marvel Universe troop builder packs on Hasbro Toy Shop like are offered for Star Wars (with Stormtroopers & such) and G.I. Joe (with Cobra henchmen) where it’s a pack of multiple copies of the same figure?
Currently, we have no plans for offering Marvel Universe troop builder
packs, but we are always looking for new ways to innovate and captivate!
2) Does the old idea that female figures don’t sell well still apply. leading to limitations being set on the number of females per year? We’ve gotten a fair share of females in both the Super Hero Squad and Marvel Universe lines, but there are so many more to be done. Also, do differing demographics (i.e. SHS being for the younger crowd) change the ratio on how many females are done?
It’s always tough to target female characters at our younger consumer.
However, we recognize their value to our collectors. Therefore, we try to choose the popular, more appealing females. While there are MANY cool females yet to be created, we have to remain wise regarding our
selections.
3) Will the SHS line continue to cover all of the Marvel Universe in general or will it be more oriented around the show and its cast?
The show has a pretty deep selection of characters. The toyline itself
allows us to go deeper into the Marvel catalogue. Expect NEW cool figures to come!
There you have it, folks! As always, you can head on over to the board to discuss these answers, and to post your own questions you’d like to seen asked of Hasbro!
Ask Matty 3/15
We just got in the newest round of answers back from Mattel and here they are!
1) Why do some characters in DCIH get treated with the old body while they were previously treated with the new mold? For example: we got multi-articulation Flash (Barry) & Psycho Pirate in the Crisis 4-pack only to later be released in single packs with the old mold instead of multi-articulation?
Many times something like this is the case of an older toy being released later then expected even after newer versions of a character have been available through other channels.
2) Is the theme for DCIH this year going to be the 75th Anniversary or is there going to be a more story-specific theme like last year with its Crisis theme?
Yes, the theme for Infinite Heroes in 2010 will be DC 75th!
3) In your 2009 MOTUC round-up, you mentioned having a roll-out through 2016. With DCIH and DCUC being tied to developments in the comic books, how far ahead are those lines planned out?
The DC lines are currently planned through 2011. We will start working on the 2012 line later this year.
4) For MOTUC, the upcoming figure stands apparently have a modular element to them (a piece of rubble that snaps into the stands); will additional modular elements, for instance larger wall panels, be created?
We are looking into ways of expanding scenic offerings, but nothing is set in stone right now (no pun intended!)
5) There are extra entries on The Secret Saturday’s Cryptipedia for Komodo, Duah, Tapire-Iauara, and the Amarok. Coincidentally, these are the same cryptids featured in the TRU exclusive pack, however the pack comes with the same cards as the single non-exclusive cryptids. Could we get an explanation as to why this is?
This was simply a issue with what cards were available to use when this customized item went into production. No other secret there!
There you go! As always, you can head on over to the board to discuss.
Marvel Q&A!
Alright! We’re good to go with the Marvel Q&A from Hasbro! We got the information only a couple days ahead of the deadline for the first questions, so we made the first round of questions “Mods’ Choice” and hopefully we picked some questions you all will be interested in, so look for those back in a couple weeks.
In the meantime, why don’t you head over to the board to discuss what questions should be asked in the next round on April 9th.
Ask Matty 2/15/10
Mattel sent the latest round of answers to our questions.
Will we be seeing any more Action League multi-packs like the Toys-R-Us 6-pack?
Only time will tell. Nothing to reveal quite yet.
Will any other Pixar, Disney, or Mattel properties (such as Masters of the Universe) be getting the “Buddies” or “Minis” 2″ treatment from Mattel?
This is something we are looking into but we’re not ready to spill the beans quite yet!
While fans of some lines like DCUC are lucky enough to get a heads-up about what figures will be in upcoming waves (and when those waves will hit), fans of Action League and Brave and the Bold figures generally have to wait until the figures are spotted at retail. Any plans to start giving those fans more of a heads-up about upcoming figures?
These lines are handled by a different group from the DCUC team and we are working with them to make sure all collectors’ needs are met!
What DC property are you most excited to bring to DCUC and Infinite Heroes this year?
We can’t wait to get to some of the current Blackest Night characters, but it may need to wait until spring of 2011 due to new developments.
Each Action League 2-pack comes carded on a cool background. Is there any chance you’ll put the backgrounds online so fans can print larger versions for their displays?
That’s a cool idea, but nothing is planned at this time.
As always, you can head on over to the board to discuss.
